A burglar has been jailed for more than three years after sneaking through a home in Greenhithe and putting his hand over a little girl’s mouth.

Brad Neville, 20, of Wodehouse Road, Dartford, woke the young girl when he entered her room shortly after 6am.

He put a hand over her mouth to stifle her screams before fleeing the house, which is in the High Street area.

Her father woke to find the front door forced open, the lights on, and a large holdall with stolen items outside.

A knife taken from the kitchen was also found on the young girl’s bed.

The incident happened in January. Extensive inquiries by officers from the North Kent Criminal Investigation Department linked Neville to the crime and he was arrested later the same month.

He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, February 22 after pleading guilty to the offence.

Investigating officer Det Con Steven Brown said: “Neville’s actions, while awful, were compounded by his decision to terrify a young girl by sneaking into her room, a place where she should feel completely secure and comfortable.

“This experience will have undoubtedly caused her great distress and I hope this result will provide some comfort to herself and her family. Kent Police will never tolerate crimes of this nature and will pursue every lead to ensure offenders are brought before the courts.”